Open Market Sparks Resurgence For London Road

Open Market, the community-led regeneration scheme breathing new life into the London Road area of Brighton, has officially opened for business. Developed by the Hyde Group, the market is part of a mixed-use scheme providing 87 affordable homes, 45 permanent market stalls and 12 studio workshops for artisans, designers and craftspeople. It is the result of a £20m regeneration of the area by The Hyde Group and Brighton and Hove City Council.

The wide variety of stalls will cater for all, from London Road locals to visitors and tourists. Shoppers can find locally-sourced bargain produce alongside unique furniture and accessories created by local artists using recycled materials. Visitors will be able to grab a snack at a falafel and salad bar, or pamper themselves at the beauty salon. Hyde Group, a £3bn housing and development provider, joined forces with the local market traders and the Council to reinvigorate the tired municipal market site to provide a new continental style market set out around a large covered market square.

David Gannicott, Hyde’s Business Development Director, said: “This excellent project is a great example of what can be achieved when you combine a business head with a social heart. With this project we have been able help tackle the area’s housing need and contribute towards economic opportunity. Just seeing how happy the residents are to be living in their new homes makes the effort involved worthwhile.”

A new residential street has also been constructed to complete the regeneration, which has transformed an area scarred by slum clearance in the mid-20th century. The affordable homes will help to meet an acute local housing need and are a mix of family and wheelchair-adapted homes for rent, with some apartments for affordable home ownership.

The new Open Market is being run as a social enterprise for community benefit, creating around 100 full-time jobs whilst also supporting myriad local and regional suppliers and producers. It is designed to provide a social meeting place, promoting community cohesion and contributing to a sustainable and vibrant local community.